Hey, guys. So, I've heard a lot about percentile rankings for SAT scores and that being in the 95th percentile is really good. Can someone break this down for me? What exact score does the 95th percentile correspond to?
Sure, I'd be happy to explain. A percentile is essentially a measure indicating the value below which a given percentage of observations fall. For instance, if you're in the 95th percentile for the SAT, it means you scored better than 95% of all test takers.
As for what exact score corresponds to the 95th percentile, it does vary from year to year depending on the performance of all the students who took the SAT that year. However, in recent years, a score around 1470-1480 out of 1600 has typically been in the 95th percentile.
Remember, while a high SAT score is definitely a boost for college admissions, it's not the only factor considered. Schools are also interested in the classes you've taken, your grades, your extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, and personal essays, to name a few. So, while it's great to aim for a high SAT score, make sure to balance your focus with these other important elements of your application.
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